Month: July 2019

The sale of a business set up by two disabled entrepreneurs to the online travel giant Airbnb is a “landmark” sign that businesses are taking more notice of disabled people’s spending power, according to the duo.The Accomable website, set up by childhood friends Srin Madipalli and Martyn Sibley, has announced that it is being taken over by US-based Airbnb.Accomable was only launched in 2015, with the aim of providing information to disabled travellers about verified, accessible properties all over the world, and “to enable anyone to go anywhere”.Madipalli (pictured, left) said he was “very sensitive to the fact that some in our community may be concerned that accessibility will again become an afterthought that is drowned out within a larger platform”.But he told Disability News Service (DNS) that he had had no reservations about the sale.He said: “We met with Airbnb’s founding team and senior management teams and were immediately impressed with their commitment to making their community more accessible.“We were very aware that some people in our community might be concerned that accessibility would become an afterthought, but it’s always been our mission to help anyone go anywhere and with Airbnb I see we can achieve this and more.”He said that “as part of Airbnb we’ll have the tools and resources ‎to continue what we were doing at Accomable but on a much bigger scale.“This not only means we’ll be able to find and vet more accessible properties, but we’ll also be able to work with more disabled entrepreneurs to consider sharing their homes as hosts or leading accessible trips.“We’ll also have the resources to cater to people with a wider variety of disabilities (this is something we covered a little on Accomable but not nearly as much as we’d have liked).”He is now moving to San Francisco to work full-time for Airbnb, leading the team that develops and improves Airbnb’s accessibility features and filters.In its own statement, Airbnb said Madipalli and his team would build on its efforts to make its services more accessible to disabled people, while the Accomable listings would gradually be included into the Airbnb database.Sibley (pictured, right), who stepped back from involvement in Accomable last year but had kept a stake in the company, said he believed the sale was “a sign that bigger businesses want to take note of disabled people and their spending power”.He said Accomable would have struggled on its own to have the impact it will have as part of Airbnb.Sibley said the sale “furthers the case” for more businesses to invest in making their goods and services accessible, and should boost the confidence of other disabled entrepreneurs.He told DNS: “I guess it’s a landmark moment, that a mainstream company has bought out a company founded by disabled people.”But he said that, although there were disabled and older people who want to travel and for whom money is not a barrier, there are other areas where disabled people do not have the same sort of spending power.Although the government keeps stressing the importance of the “purple pound” – the spending power of Britain’s disabled people – Sibley believes that years of government cuts to disabled people’s support and services are restricting its potential.He said: “I do still feel very passionate that the way the government is going is making it harder to realise this sort of purple pound potential.“People can’t get out of bed or bathed or showered regularly and [so can’t] go and get a job, so how can they then have the consumer spending power that would then keep all the other industries interested in that potential untapped market?”He said the same government cuts were “hindering” the efforts of other disabled entrepreneurs who might want to follow in the footsteps of himself and Madipalli.Madipalli declined to comment on the impact of government cuts on disabled people, but he told DNS that the sale to Airbnb “shows the value of the purple pound and I hope to see other companies follow our lead to make all aspects of their business more accessible.“As someone who’s very passionate about new technology, I am hoping we’ll see new ways tech can help disabled people, and see even more disabled entrepreneurs build tech that allows for better accessibility.”Sibley said the sale to Airbnb was “quite a nice closing of the circle”, because when he and Madipalli set up the website they called it “the Airbnb for disabled people, and we read stuff about Airbnb that kind of inspired when we were creating it what we were going to do”.Sibley will now continue to focus on his consultancy work and his role as chief executive and founder of the online magazine Disability Horizons, where he is preparing the launch of a personal development zone for disabled people.read more

0% A seven-story Mission District housing project is just months away from approval, according to its sponsor, who says he hopes to break ground on the development at 15th and Mission streets sometime this fall.Alongside other housing construction planned near that corner, that development is a small part of the almost 400 units of new market-rate housing that will be online within a one-block radius of the planned project in the next few years.Permits to construct 12 units at 1900 Mission St., currently the site of a two-story auto shop, were submitted in July 2015 but are just now in the final stages of approval, according to the project sponsor, who says he is waiting on two permits to be approved in the next couple months. The project has been in the works since 2013.The plans call for a seven-story building on the corner lot, rising above its immediate neighbors but is similar to the market-rate housing buildings across both 15th and Mission streets. The building at 1900 Mission St. would have four one-bedrooms and eight two-bedrooms and a 495 square foot retail space on the ground-floor. Tenants would share access to a 989 square foot roof deck on the top floor, and some of the units have private patios of their own. The development will have one below-market-rate unit on-site.Kevin Stephens of the architecture firm Kevin Stephens Design Group bought the land in 2013 for $1.3 million via the limited liability company PRC Series 2 LLC. His firm initially drafted plans to construct nine units in a six-story building. Three years later, those plans have added three units and another story, making the project rise to 75 feet in a lot with an 80-foot height limit. Stephens said he did not yet know whether the units would be condos or rentals.The auto shop on the corner, Discount Auto Performance, will have to close once the development begins. Its displacement is the latest in a trend within the Mission District that has seen so-called PDR spaces, short for production, distribution, and repair, replaced by housing and office space at a fast pace.Peter Phan, the owner of the auto shop, said he does not know what he’ll do after the project breaks ground and he’s told to move. He said he has looked for other spaces in the city for an auto shop, but that costs are too high.“It’s too expensive out there,” Phan said, adding that he’s been stressed by the prospect of moving out. “I don’t know, I’ll have to get a job out there. What are you going to do? It’s tough.”Housing activists in the neighborhood often point to the need to preserve blue-collar jobs as a reason to oppose new market-rate development that replaces PDR space, though no opposition has yet launched against 1900 Mission St.Discount Auto Performance at 1900 Mission St., the site of the planned development. Photo by Lola M. ChavezChanging CornerAlongside the 202-unit Vara Apartments and the 39 condos at the M@1875 building, the new development would be the latest market-rate housing project built near the corner of 15th and Mission streets in the last three years. A 24-unit condo project at 1587 15th St. was built on the corner in 2006. Those three projects have brought 216 market-rate units and 49 below-market-rate units to the corner in the last decade. If all goes as planned, the 1900 Mission St. project would be constructed at about the same time as three other projects planned for the area. Two seven-story housing projects on Mission Street across from the Armory will break ground in 2017, according to the project sponsors, bringing 53 units to the block.Just a block away, a giant 10-story development that would bring 380 units to the corner of 16th and Mission streets, was recently revived after a prolonged legal battle. That project is being opposed by neighborhood activists, but if approved would be the largest housing construction to break ground in recent years in the Mission District.The four projects planned for the area would bring 389 market-rate units and 56 below-market-rate units online within the next few years.In contrast, some 455 affordable housing units have been approved for the entire Mission District in the last decade, not including affordable units built within market-rate projects. No opposition has yet formed against the project at 1900 Mission St., and the project does not need to go before the Planning Commission to move forward. If approvals are made in a timely fashion, Stephens said the project could break ground sometime this fall and be online 18 months after that.The Vara Apartments has 202 units — 40 of which are below-market-rate — on the corner of 15th and Mission Streets. Photo by Lola M. ChavezThe 24-unit project at 1587 Mission St. on the corner of 15th and Mission streets. The development has three below-market-rate units. Photo by Lola M. Chavez Tags: housing Share this: FacebookTwitterRedditemail,0%read more

RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood has hailed the growing appeal of Engage Super League after attendance records tumbled over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.Rugby League’s elite competition attracted a record 149,771 people for the 14 fixtures in Rounds 11 and 12, a 14 per cent increase on the corresponding Easter programme last year.The aggregate crowd for the Round 11 fixtures last Thursday and Friday was 84,720, the second highest total for an individual round in Super League history.“The figures are a fantastic testimony to what has to be the most appealing and entertaining competition in British sport,” said Wood.“It is no coincidence that the fans who turned out in record numbers and the hundreds of thousands of people who watched on TV were treated to some tremendously exciting action and memorably close contests.“This year we have seen more uncertainty of outcome than ever before and this season all teams have shown an ability to beat their rivals, regardless of their league position on any given weekend.“The sense of excitement within Super League this is palpable and I’m sure attendances will grow still further as the season builds to a climax between now and the Grand Final.“With just four points separating the top seven clubs as we approach the halfway point of the 2011 season, things could hardly be closer and it all bodes well for scintillating summer of Engage Super League action.”The biggest crowd of the Easter weekend came at Wigan on Friday when the Warriors defeat arch-rivals St Helens in front of 24,057 people. Earlier that day Hull FC beat Hull KR before a crowd of 19,795 whilst the previous evening 19,275 people turned out to watch Leeds defeat Bradford 30-22 at Grattan Stadium.On Easter Monday Leeds drew more than 14,000 people to Headingley Carnegie to see England stand-off Danny McGuire’s return from injury inspire the Rhinos to victory against Crusaders whilst a bumper crowd of 12,036 saw Warrington fall to a surprise home defeat by Hull FC.read more

TWO amendments to the sentencing guidelines applicable to the offences of making a shoulder charge and making dangerous contact with an opponent’s legs (‘cannonball tackles’) have been introduced for the 2014 First Utility Super League and Kingstone Press Championships seasons.The changes to the shoulder charge guidelines broadens the circumstances in which a defender who uses a shoulder charge which leads to any contact to the head of an opposing player can be referred for action by the RFL Match Review Panel.Previously, defending players have escaped sanction by claiming that indirect contact made with an opponent’s head was unintentional or incidental. From this weekend, any use of the illegal technique of shoulder charging an opponent which results in any contact with the head of a player in possession may be chargeable.The amendment to the dangerous contact ruling sees the sentencing tariff for this offence increased from Grade A-D to Grade B-E and relates to what are commonly known as ‘cannonball tackles’.A cannonball tackle occurs when a defender makes dangerous contact with the leg of an opponent who is already held in possession and deemed to be in a vulnerable position.Previously, the onus was on the disciplinary process to demonstrate that the contact to the legs was direct. For the 2014 season, the amendment recognises that there can be an unacceptable risk of injury to the attacking player regardless of whether or not contact with the legs was direct or that the knee was directly targeted.The Match Review Panel will consider a number of factors when reviewing such incidents, including the level of force used and the angle, and point of contact.The new season also features one amendment to the Laws of the Game and relates to the restart with a goal-line drop-out when a player touches down in the in-goal area.For 2014, Rule 4c states that play will be restarted with a drop-out from the goal-line if a defending player intentionally touches down in the in-goal area.Without intent, the ball will be deemed to be still in play.read more

The Giants capitalised to cement their position in the top eight with a 24-16 win at the John Smith’s Stadium.Saints were second best throughout as they failed to recover from a scratchy start.A few nervous moments in the opening stages saw them kick the ball out on the full and then have to field number of tricky last tackle kicks on their own line.Errors compounded their lack of field position too and it was therefore no surprise when Leroy Cudjoe took advantage in the 12th minute.In fact, Saints struggled to match their hosts set for set until the introduction of Luke Thompson.He won his side a penalty and then the visitors enjoyed some time on Huddersfield’s line.Nothing came of it but it was a welcome respite from defence.Giants continued to dominate in terms of possession and with five minutes to go in the half Martin Ridyard collected a bobbling ball in Saints in-goal area for 12-0.But Saints did make a crucial breakthrough as the hooter sounded; Morgan Knowles finding a gap and offloading for Thompson to storm under the posts.And it proved to be a timely four-pointer as within two minutes of the second half it was game on.After Tommy Lee forced an error in the Giants’ 35, Zeb Taia took on the line, found Jonny Lomax out of the back and he duly put Mark Percival over in the corner.Class from Saints’ potent left edge.Saints continued to press with Taia and Percival combining to fashion another couple of line breaks but it was the Giants who struck next through Adam O’Brien following a harsh Danny Brough penalty.It was a blow but Saints once again worked their way back into it and had a couple of chances to score before they forced a drop out with 15 remaining.LMS went close and then Kyle Amor steamed onto a flat Jon Wilkin pass to make it game on.Percival making it a two point game with the boot.More pressure followed but the visitors couldn’t punch it home – and the game breaker duly came five minutes from time.Huddersfield grabbed a drop out and Lee Gaskell took an iffy looking pass to dive under the posts.Saints protested that their former teammate was held up in the act of the scoring, but James Child waved away their appeals and the match was gone.Match Summary:Giants: Tries: Cudjoe, Ridyard, O’Brien, Gaskell Goals: Ridyard (4 from 4)Saints: Tries: Thompson, Percival, Amor Goals: Percival (2 from 3)Penalties Awarded: Giants: 5 Saints: 2HT: 12-6 FT: 24-16REF: J ChildATT: 5660Teams:Giants: 1. Jake Mamo; 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 3. Leroy Cudjoe, 4. Lee Gaskell, 5. Aaron Murphy; 33. Martyn Ridyard, 6. Danny Brough; 10. Shannon Wakeman, 14. Kruise Leeming, 15. Sebastine Ikahihifo, 12. Dale Ferguson, 16. Oliver Roberts, 9. Ryan Hinchcliffe. Subs: 8. Sam Rapira, 18. Paul Clough, 30. Alex Mellor, 31. Adam O’Brien.Saints: 1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 28. Regan Grace; 6. Theo Fages, 7. Matty Smith; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Kyle Amor, 36. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook. Subs: 14. Luke Douglas, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Tommy Lee, 20. Morgan Knowles.read more

The Totally Wicked Stadium will see the competition’s first and fourth placed clubs go head to head for the right to play in next Saturday’s Grand Final.Saints have won all the contests with the Wolves this year but the Wire are no strangers to the end of year showpiece having appeared at Old Trafford three times in the last six seasons.“Our record against them this season won’t play a part on Thursday,” Holbrook said. “I would’ve rather have beaten them than not, of course, but it does give them extra motivation.“This is a semi-final so we are expecting nothing less than a tough game.”Saints have been edged in the previous three play-off semi-finals; last progressing to the Grand Final in 2014 when they won the competition.A Golden Point drop goal from Luke Gale was the difference in 2017 but Holbrook says Saints are in better shape this time around.“Last year we had to win the last ten games or so to make the semis, but this year we have led the comp from Round One,” he said. “We have been smarter in the back end of the year to get guys over their niggles and to make sure they are primed and fresh.“The young guys have made the best of their opportunities and have been outstanding whilst the senior guys have set the standards. We are in a good place but we know we have to play well on Thursday.“Last year we had to keep on rolling them out every week just to get to the semi-finals. It’s different now and we are in better frame of mind than we were last year.“It’s now up to us to go out there and perform.”Saints will head into Thursday’s game as favourites and received a welcome boost this week when seven members of the club were named in the Dream Team.Ben Barba, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival and Jonny Lomax joined Danny Richardson, James Roby and Luke Thompson in the side.Justin added: “I am extremely proud of these players and I am proud to coach each one of them. I see their hard work and their consistency – they have earned the right to make this team and they should be very proud.“It is huge effort to be here and a good achievement also, but we are a team sport and we have to bring it all together on Thursday.“We have been great this year but we need two more big efforts. We have to earn it and that starts on Thursday.“It is an exciting time of the year and we are looking forward to it.”Tickets for Thursday’s Semi-Final are now on sale. The game kicks off at 7:45pm at the Totally Wicked Stadium and you can secure your spot by calling into the Ticket Office, tel: 01744 455 052 or online here.Discounts are available for 2018 Members but you have to take this up by 5pm on Wednesday.read more

The Cape Fear Network of Baptist Churches along with Wrightsville Beach Baptist and others spent months restoring the historic church.The Wilmington Baptist Association, Quinn McGowan Funeral Home and the N.C. Baptist Men are among other groups that helped the church. This is all due to the fact that the church had no flood insurance at the time of the storm.Bethlehem Baptist Church is one of Pender County’s oldest, believed to date back to 1800. Records show the church was active by 1835, and the current building was built in 1850.Related Article: Search continues for Burgaw teen missing since AprilThe church held its re-dedication ceremony this evening and no doubt plans to continue to serve the neighbors there along the Black River.Below are some images of the re-dedication. Bethlehem Baptist Church (PHOTO: John McIntyre) CURRIE, NC (WWAY) – It was one of the many casualties from Hurricane Matthew, but tonight the doors of Bethlehem Baptist are back open.The list is too long of groups who made the restoration possible for the church. It was a wash out following the October 2016 storm.- Advertisement – read more

They are cadaver dogs, just like any K-9 they have a strong sense of smell. FPD is grooming that sense on the water so the dogs learn how to locate bodies. It takes coordination though. The dog is sniffing for the scent while the diver under water is looking for the victim.When the dog picks up on something, he jumps off the dock and the diver is there with the reward.Drowing is the 5th leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. With summer first approaching, Fayetteville Police are preparing for the worst.Related Article: Police: Genealogy helps ID rape suspect in decade-old cases“It seems like the beginning of every season everybody thinks I can swim all the way across the lake and then they get tired,” Dive Team Instructor Chuck Campbell said. “So, and drownings happen unfortunately. And this way, we need to recover the body, we need to recover the victim. Because for me it would be horrific to know my family member is out there in the lake somewhere and I wasn’t able to recover them. This way this gives them closure to a horrible situation.” BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WTVD) — As temperatures warm up, White Lake along with other popular swimming holes will be filled with people. That’s why the Fayetteville Police dive team is training now to prepare for emergency situations.The Fayetteville Police dive team is often tasked with water search and recovery missions. The team had a training exercise Friday except this time divers got an extra hand from their K-9 counterparts.- Advertisement – read more

One Perfect Luau is free fun for the whole family, and pets are welcome as well.It’s being held at Wrightsville Beach Brewery at 6201 Oleander Dr. in Wilmington, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Read more about what Surfers Healing is all about. WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — You have a chance to learn the hula, bid on a hand painted surfboard, and help support the water therapy efforts of the amazing Surfers Healing organization this weekend at the One Perfect Luau on Sunday afternoon at Wrightsville Beach Brewery.The event features music, prizes, and a surf simulator.- Advertisement –

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Four years ago, two Ocean Isle Beach couples started a project to feed their community by allowing tourists to simply pay their visit forward. Rebecca Powell, Jimmy Powell, Teresa Gibson and Neil Garratt continue that organization, Second Helping OIB, today.Powell says the task is simple. She says, as tourists are leaving the island, Second Helping OIB collects all the unused, perishable and non-perishable items.- Advertisement – Each Saturday starting Memorial Day until Labor Day, the organization collects items at 3 locations across the town.“Holden Beach had been doing it and there was a man from Charlotte who has started it about 15/16 years ago as a one man show,” Powell said. “They did an exposé on him and I’m like well we can do this here. So ,Teresa and I called him up and met with him in Shallotte. He told us how he did it and then we started it.”Powell says last summer the group was able to donate 20,000 lbs of food to the Brunswick Family Assistance, which was enough food to be able to feed the county and not tap into the reserve.Related Article: Ocean Isle Beach assesses damage, island still closedIf you’re in the community and would like to donate, you can find volunteers near the Museum of Coastal Carolina, near the roundabout neighboring the Ocean Isle Beach Pier or on East 1 Street just down the road from the pier near the Beach Life shop.read more